Question about coverage limit

[Sipek.]

I'll just start off by saying that this is my first post and that I am not a Mobilicity customer (yet?), so i'd like to ask some questions in my research first before making a choice.

As the title says, I live in the Vancouver area and yes, I do know that Mobilicity has on their website a unlimited home coverage map, but my question to that is how exact is that map (or how >blank< they are to the letter)? I was looking at this http://www.cellmapper.net/map.php?MCC=302&MNC=320&LAC=100,150 and although outdated, it seems to show that some towers have a further coverage than listed on their website. To be more exact in my question, let's say I was just slightly outside their unlimited coverage area of the map which is present on their website by like 2-3 blocks but I still have a signal, how will I know if i'm still present within that unlimited zone? As far as the FAQs on their website mention, i'll just be charged at pay-per-use rates but won't tell me if i'm in or outside the coverage area.

I hope my question came out clearly and will take all answers seriously (and yes, I tried to use the search function, but came up empty unless i'm searching for the wrong thing).

[amadeus]

Hi! your best bet is to bring someone who has Mobilicity up to the place in question, and see how the signal is there. Also, based on my own experience, the phone is VERY important. I have a HTC Panache ($299+tax) and it pick up signal on places where other phones don't. Try and mistake, that's the key. Regarding the Mobilicity's quality of service, it is excellent. So good luck and if the service works, go for it with peace in mind.;)

[MattyMattMatt]

You could always sign up and return it if it doesnt work.

[Sipek.]

Thanks for your answer amadeus. My problem is that if I actually knew anyone with Mobilicity, then i'd have asked them and the question would've been answered, but sadly I do not. As for the phone, i'm old school so I still use a T-Mobile G1 on Rogers currently (not using data, just voice), so the phone, as far as I know, is compatible with Mobilicity and Wind. The signal for me isn't as big of an issue as being within the home unlimited coverage zone, so I hope that there's some sort of indicator to my phone to tell me if i'm within it or not (from what I hear, Wind will say on the phone if it's in a Wind Home or Wind Away zone).

Worst case scenario that if I don't get an answer here, i'll most likely go ahead to a Mobilicity store and purchase a sim card ($10 I hope and not like Wind's $25) and a pay-per-use plan and just load it with a minor amount to test if I get reception in my commonly visited areas.

Edited/Added: MattyMattMatt, I had planned that, but wasn't so clear on Mobilicity's policies.

[dogpile]

I am with Mobi. When you are outside the Mobi "zone" the phone screen will show CDN ROAMING. If it doesn't say that, you're still in their coverage area.

Hope this helps.

[Sipek.]

Thanks for the reply dogpile. CDN Roaming... would it say "No Service" if I decide to disable roaming or is this forced upon as like standard connection?

[PatchyToes]

Mobi Employee:

Mobilicity does not charge roaming fees automatically. They work by you buying an unlimited plan FIRST, and then you get the service AFTER. (as opposed to using service and getting billed AFTER.)

Even if you sign up for automatic payments, that only covers your plan. *NOT* your roaming/long distance fees. So go nuts and try it out.

Keep it under 30 minutes, 30 texts and 1mb of data, and you can get a full refund.
Nothing to lose!

[Sipek.]

Thanks for that additional information PatchyToes. Haha, the minutes and text in the refund policy are fine but that 1mb of data is my biggest concern as I would like to initially test out the speed and connection via speedtest, but i'm assuming it'll obviously taking it over so it's a bit of a disappointment.

[PatchyToes]

Try asking your local dealer manager. Never know unless you ask.

[Sipek.]

Well, here's hoping but as usual, we've heard of stories where sales rep who lack mentioning (or misleading) consumers by giving a completely different policy. Well, as long as they offer me the sim card for free, i'd pay for one month even if I go over.